From Building Pyramids to Buying Jordan’s

On December 22, 2011 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. arose from his grave

and was escorted around the country to various cities.

As he rode around he saw many Africans Americans camped outside of malls and

was proud that his people were still fighting for a cause.

He thought to himself, “I wonder what they’re protesting for this time, higher wages, equal employment or more

civil rights?” What do you think his response was when he found out that his people spent all that time and

energy to get a pair of sneakers?...Crazy thought right?

Once we devote that same energy and start having that same kind of turnout to meaningful

things like protest and new innovations we will be better off as a culture.

But instead we went from building pyramids to buying Jordan’s.

How does this happen?

Why do we let this insecurity of what brand we wear roam in the Black community?

As a kid I was into Jordan’s but now I’m no longer into the hype.

I have strong views against Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan himself because he’s

willing to sell out his own people just to make a profit.

How ignorant is it that some of the people who stood in those long lines spent

their last dime to fit in or those who spent money they got from governmental assistance

to look better off than what they are?

These problems only hinder the Black community from growing.

A simple minded person would say, “they’re just shoes”, but it’s much more deeper than that.

It’s okay to get the shoes because you like them, but the problem occurs when you

feel that in order for you to fit in you must have them.

I flipped through various news channels and I was disgusted by how the media portrayed us.

They talked about how we always get crazy around this time of year and spend a ridiculous amount of money

on sneakers we can barely afford just to make a fashion statement. After ridiculing our culture they shoed clips full of African Americans fighting in line and in some instances killing.

Now that’s death over designer for you.

Let’s no longer fit into the stereotype many other cultures have put us in.

We should be trying to move forwards and not backwards as we have been doing.

Put down them shoes, pick up books, and always remember where you came from because if you don’t you’ll

continue reversing the progress that has already been made.

-          Brandon Johnson (@Snagman_Johnson)

Get Familiar: Comeback/!/Music

If you aren't familiar, allow me to introduce. Meet the "new age hip hop collective", Comeback/!/Music. A group of dope artists mainly consisting of two artists, but periodically team up with about 10 affiliates ranging from L.A. to Toronto. To obtain and steady fan base and covering that much ground, you have to be making some good music. And it is evident in their latest mixtape, "What Time Is It".

Overall, this is a pretty nice tape. Some songs reminded me of the Fugees, Arrested Development. The Knux, with a lil bit of Gym Class Heroes, &N.E.R.D.

The group started back in the golden days of Myspace, making beats and networking. Their goal once making music was to bring back the ways of old school hip hop, which were unarguably the best times of music. And they do a good job at it so far. From the great samples, to the smoove lyrics laid over the beats, Comeback/!/Music makes good quality music. 

They are currently in the works of their next mixtape entitled, "This Mixtape is So Indie, You've Probably Never Heard of It". Ha. 

Be on the look out for these guys.

Download "What Time Is It" Here.

Tumblr, Soundcloud (2), & YouTube

The Effects of Technology

Isaac Newton once said, “To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”.

Many, if not all, have agreed for this to be true. So what is the effect of technology in today’s culture?

Books are becoming obsolete with the presence of technology. In this microwave society in which we live, everybody wants information right now. “Google it” has become a verb in the English vocabulary as if before it wasn’t invented there was no other way to access information. Google is only great tool when it is used to further knowledge in something, but it has made us lazy in seeking that knowledge. We do not absorb knowledge by typing a question in on Google and getting an answer in less than one second. We obtain knowledge of a subject only by reading and doing the necessary research. Our society relies too much on Google and I fear what would happen if it ever was to get shut down.

Many technological advances have been made to improve the access of information, but with this instant access, there are also many side effects to go along with it. Take for instance, “social networking” is ironic because in its name is an oxymoron. Instead of actually bringing people together, it actually creates breaks in relationships. With the boom of social networks, rarely do we ask, “What did you do this weekend” because more than likely we already know from Facebook or Twitter.  Personal interactions and communications are reducing now since there’s no point in getting to know someone when you can become friends with them on Facebook and read about their life.

On the other hand, we've survived more radical changes in technology and to how we access and assess information. Plato doubted his era's innovation of the written word. In "Phaedrus," the god Theuth boasted that his invention of writing would improve the wisdom of people compared with the oral tradition. King Thamus responded, "The discoverer of an art is not the best judge of the good or harm which will accrue to those who practice it." The risk is that people "will receive a quantity of information without proper instruction, and in consequence be thought very knowledgeable when they are for the most part quite ignorant."

The invention of the cell phone and email brought about the demise of the postal office, as social networks did to social interactions, and as Google did to self-learning. I’m not saying that technology is bad, but rather that you should consider your reliance on it. Believe it or not, there’s nothing wrong with learning and communicating the old fashion way, people have done it before.

--Brandon Johnson

@Snagman_Johnson

Spider-Man is now Black, and Hispanic

First, S/O to the bro J. Farris (@PharrisPhotography) for the heads up

As I read the head line, I got quite excited. Then I thought to myself, "I live in America, home of habitual haters". Whenever race is brought into something, it could very well possibly have a negative attitude towards it.

If you're familiar with the comic book world, in the Ultimate series, you know that the original webshooter Peter Parker dies. And what do you know, the person who "inherits the tights" is a young man of color. Meet Miles Morales, half-African-america and half-Latino. He makes his appearance in the Ultimate Comics Fallout #4.

"He swings into action, kicks butt, and when he pulls back his mask, there is another face there," said Axel Alonso, editor in chief of Marvel Comics.-CNN

I hate how they brought up President Obama having to do something with this new movement of break through for races of color. Just seem like they were basically saying, "Well since we have a Black president, midaswhale make Spider-Man black too". Alonso says that when the opportunity came up for the new Spider-Man, he wanted him to represent diversity. I can respect that. He himself is mixed.

In the Ultimate Comics Fallout #4, the new Spider-Man makes only a preview. His debut will be viewed in the September issue of Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1.

Marvel released the first Ultimate Marvel imprint of comic books in 2000. The Ultimate imprint is an alternate world from Marvel's regular universe, where Parker is still alive and fighting. "The Ultimate Universe is known for its aesthetic and its attitude," Alonso said. "It is responsible for a lot of comic book innovation."

A Letter to Nickelodeon

Dear Nickelodeon,

*standing ovation* I think there is an obvious higher power I need to thank, besides BasedGod. Where should I began to start thanking? Should I thank my parents for smangin it, causing me to become a 90s baby? Should I thank Viacom? Should I thank the inventors who who all came up with technology to lead to the invention of television? I mean, the list can go on, and on.

A few months back It was rumored on Tumblr that the 90s Nickelodeon Shows were returning to television. So I proceed to the Nickelodeon Wikipedia page to double check (Fuck teachers, Wikipedia IS reliable, most times) but, I saw no word about it, so I, being a thug, didn't want to get my hopes up so I brushed it of. But just to be sure, yesterday-the official day of return for the shows, I saw on my U-Verse TV guide a wonderful line up of television shows I remember on TeenNick.

Continue reading after the jump.

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Haterazzi - V-Nasty, Shutup Nigga!

If you asked me name someone who is real, I would say the respectful man behind Haterazzi, Dark Hater. Everyone has an opinion, and most of the time I agree with him. I use to always catch some of his videos, such as this one, and watch him on BlogTv. 

He runs an online radio show.  One of the best I must say. Covers everything from politics, to music, and the comedy is on point.

I would like to share his latest video with you. A couple days ago, as I have my daily "nigga moment" and check Worldstar Hip-Hop, I see this bullshit. And I had alot of thoughts that came to mind. Most notable was, "this bitch has no clue". The video Dark Hater did from his podcast continued my thoughts.

Check out more from Haterazzi here.

The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl

This is my last time referring to us coming back from our hiatus. BUT, before we went under construction, I use to post this web series based out of Los Angeles,  "Fly Guys Presents The F Word". After their season ended, the YouTube channel began another series, "The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl". I really enjoy both series, and wish they continue. "The Misadventures of AWKWARD Black Girl"  is trying to make it to the next step, by extending the season to more episodes.

Below we have a video of the cast discussing why you should support "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl."

Issa Rae is a producer/director/writer striving to make her mark on the entertainment industry. She received her B.A. from Stanford University, where she produced and directed four theatrical productions, including two stage adaptations of Spike Lee films. Because film was her true passion, she took time off from Stanford to attend the New York Film Academy where she honed her filmmaking skills. Upon graduating, Issa Rae has worked on various music videos and shorts. "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl," often referred to as ABG, is Issa Rae's third web series. It has been featured on several sites and publications, including Vibe, Clutch magazine, Huffington Post, The Root, Shadow & Act, AOL, and an upcoming issue of Essence magazine. Rae recently signed with UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment with plans to turn ABG from a web series into a cable half-hour comedy. In addition, she has two other web series, which include, "Dorm Diaries" and her award-winning series, "FLY GUYS present the F Word."

More videos from the series after the jump.

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She Likes It Raw

"I Like It Raw", could be a curse and a blessing in the same meaning. But in this case, its for a good reason. Meet Chef Ahki. "Promoting conscious eating, living, thinking engulfed in beautiful imagery and relevant, real-time and content." Now that is something we should all live by. 

As I browse thru the ChefAhki website, which is still under come construction, I saw a few recipes that I liked and willing to try out. By that I mean someone can cook it, and I'll try it out. 

She not only dabbles in modeling and music; She’s also a Raw Food Chef! Fortunately for all the Raw food newbies out there, she has recently launched her website! It’s Filled with great, easy recipes, how to’s, and you can even hire her for your event.  

- blackgirlshining

After the jump, there are a few recipes. Enjoy.

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From Locked Out to Locked Up

NFL lockout day 122 and there has already been about 20 arrests of players and some are multiple offenders. Many owners and analyst dismissed what Ray Lewis said when he said that, “There would be more crime if the NFL Lockout continued to drag on”, and so far his bold vision has been coming true.

Usually around this time there would be OTA’s (Organized Team Activities) and teams would be preparing for or in training camps to prepare the players for the upcoming season. Activities such as those keep players around the team and more importantly, keep them out of trouble. We must also remember that a lot of these players come from rough neighborhoods, so with this new found summer freedom some are choosing to hang around people who mean them no good.

"How many more arrest would there be if there are not any training camps? ..no preseason? ..or God forbid, no season at all?"

(Continue reading after the jump.)

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